It's interesting that fans didn't know for sure if the band had broken up or not. There were rumors that they were recording. Then they showed up, but for people waiting to see Santana and the Doobies (Dylan also made a surprise appearance, though he was barely mic'd). They'd been billed as Garcia & Friends, but then decided to give a live workout to the new piece as the Dead, still sans lyrics. Donna wasn't there but Saunders (the original "& Friends") and Lagin were, for a triple keys lineup. It's not much compared to the next couple workouts - particularly the show in August - but it's fun for the history buffs. The triple-keys are interesting in JBG, though there's not the usual Jer rip. It all sounds like what it is - woodshedding in front of thousands. Dylan had never done a show like this nor an FM simulcast. Baez got booed offstage and attendees favored Tower of Power. Lost Live Dead blogspot has the skinny.
SOURCES: The
miller.110126 marks the first appearance of the true pre-FM. Blues for Allah is on the
Beyond Description bonus disc but use the Miller. All FM sources were (still are) pegged and thumpy.
Snack.18525 was the first widely available SBD but it's drier than the
skankweed.13585 and miller, without improving clarity and instrument separation - though it does have the soundchecks and interviews. The kafer-boswell-smith has since been added but it's distorted and pitched slow.